The cost of the monoplane is 1400, which is being raised by subscription in this country.
The offer of the machine was made through the High Commissioner, to whom a letter was sent stating that there was a growing feeling that the time had arrived when some special effort should be made to strengthen the resources of the Empire in aerial craft, in view of the great advance now being made in this direction by foreign Powers.
The reply from New Zealand in form of cable read: ''Government of New Zealand gratefully accepts offer of military aeroplane.''
• A feature of the Winter Show this year is the great display of motor-cars. The finest car on exhibition is undoubtedly the 14-18 h.p. De Dion, which has caused crowds to collect in its vicinity.
The chassis of this car is world-renowned De Dion Bouton (French) manufacture. The body was built by Bath and Son, Invercargill, and is exceptionally well finished. The car will carry six passengers.
The seats are low and very comfortable, the colour, which is carmine, is very smart, and the upholstering is red, with carpets to match.
The engine of this car is remarkably silent, it being almost impossible to hear it running. The starting also is a special feature. It is possible to start the engine without the least exertion, two fingers being all that are required to pull the starting handle over. This car is being exhibited by Arthur Stone, of Invercargill, and the price complete as shown is 600. The Dunedin agents are John Chambers and Sons.
• Numbers of children and adults of Wellington have been smitten with measles during the past few weeks, and the list of sufferers may be sadly lengthened unless those who are recovering from the disease act with more sense than some convalescents, who have been seen in crowded tramcars (says the Post). The trouble is highly infectious both before and after the eruptive stage.
In many cases no medical aid is summoned for measles.
If adults are attacked they commonly resolve to recover without a doctor's help, though they may be amazingly ignorant about the course and effects of the disease.
These are the persons who may venture abroad before the infectious period has passed, and they may spread the sickness far and wide.
Time was when such individuals could have been prosecuted and punished for travelling in public vehicles such as tramcars, railway carriages, or taxicabs, but now the law has no more to do with measles cases than with colds in the head of influenza. The only safety for the public is in the good sense and decency of the patients.
• A Press Association message from Wellington states that the Postal and Marine Departments are now formulating regulations governing the equipment with wireless apparatus of passenger vessels trading on the New Zealand coast.
It is understood that the classification for wireless will include all except a few of the mosquito fleet which carry only a limited number of passengers.
These may be exempted from the obligation to instal wireless. The regulations will be gazetted shortly. - ODT, 5.6.1913.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
